Strength in differences

Something new… something old…

With all the volatility throughout the world right now, it can be difficult to wade through differences of opinion and the debates, sometimes heated, that come from them. Socrates said, “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.”  

Oftentimes, in situations that engender competing factions, the best way to proceed is by laying aside one’s own point of view, at least temporarily, and trying to understand the experience of others.

Earlier this week, I received an email that contained statistics that were not the most recent statistics available. However, beyond the numbers, the message contained some examples of social injustice in areas that I am not sure I had previously considered. What shined through loud and clear was that it can be easy to become isolated or insulated from the experience of others. More often than not, there is a greater tendency to try to find the place where one fits in, and then, to comfortably live and stay there. Inevitably, by doing so, diversity and openness become lost more easily, and learning lessens. The voices and the experience of others… those on the edges or completely outside of the place where we have come to reside, become invisible or simply “not my experience,” so they may be dismissed, without much consideration.

This is the crux of the matter… of many matters. When there is little or no room for consideration, or an unwillingness to separate from what is comfortable, preferred, presumed, or seen as “known,” there is also usually little or no room for true dialogue or change—something more than superficial. Without open and honest listening and sharing, without coming together, how can we possibly come to understand?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. – 2 Cor 13:13      

SomethingNewSomethingOld

Contrast…

Looking across the yard, the tree branches still snow clad from a recent storm seem livelier than in the weeks preceding. It is interesting what contrast can do, often bringing life to that which seems to be on the way to being mostly lifeless, if not already. Oftentimes, it is in or through differences, when one is able to hold them side by side, that strength is found; not only that, but also a common sense, pointing to the essence, or the heart of any matter.

Trees are made with branches, and leaves that come and go.
We are made, all of us, with body, heart, and soul.
Trees are made to stand, side-by-side, tall, proud, and free.
We are made to stand, side-by-side, tall, proud, and free.
Trees are made to gently bend or lean, but not break.
We are made to gently bend or lean, but not break.
Trees have roots, for bearing fruit, always in due time.
We have roots, for bearing fruit, always in due time.
Only, trees, though, they know how, to open, and let go.

Contrast

Trust in the Lord…

“The maker of heaven and earth,
the seas and all that is in them,
Who keeps faith forever…” – Psalm 146:6

Egg Salad…

A few weeks ago, as I was helping to set up bowls with vinegar, water, and dye tablets to color some hard boiled eggs, my daughter and son were discussing decorating ideas and opinions. Every year since they were around preschool age, they have helped with decorating Easter eggs. They started out just scribbling with crayons or putting stickers on eggs that had already been dyed, but over time they moved toward dying the eggs as well.

Over the years, it has been interesting to watch how each of them approach and go about dying and decorating, and the interactions that occur in the process. And while they have access to all the same tools and resources on the table, when completed, although we still have the same dozen of eggs that we started with, each egg has come to life in a different way.

Earlier today, as I opened a carton of eggs, I recalled the colorful eggs of Easter. It called to mind how engaged my son and daughter are, as are most people, when they can express themselves and participate in a way that is meaningful to them while remaining true to the heart of their beliefs, values, and traditions.

Perhaps that is what was so appealing to so many people in the early Church. There were twelve Apostles. They were not identical. They were not clones, nor were they trying to be. They had distinct personalities, gifts, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. They had disagreements, but when they remained focused on Jesus’ life and example, fixed on striving to be faithful to the will of God, and open to each other through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (in whatever direction it took them whether known or new), the Church evolved, there was room for all, and through the grace of God, the numbers grew exponentially.

In the end, we are all part of the same recipe… the same plan. It is time for our differences, to once again, through our shared belief, become our greatest strength.